Who can save "kalimah ALLAH"?

Hello Fellow Malaysians and eligible and legitimate voters for the 13th General Election on May 05, 2013. 

I have been in hibernation for more than a year.  I am awaken not by earthquake or tsunami this time.  It is because I saw this big billboard put up at the roundabout at the Butterworth-Kulim Express Highway and North-South Highway intersection near the JPJ and Immigration Office by a candidate in the Seberang Jaya, Seberang Perai, Penang.  It urged voters to "Save KALIMAH ALLAH".  The word ALLAH is GOD to my Muslims friends as I knew it since I first went to primary school which was Putra English School (PES) at Jalan Padang Katong, Kangar, Perlis back in 1969 where there were very few Chinese students in my class and school until I went to Derma Secondary School.    

There were Islamic religious studies or "Ugama" classes and lessons for the Malay students while the non-Malay students are supposed to attend the Chinese or Tamil language classes during the period designated on our schooling time-table from Sundays to Thursdays(Perlis State then observed weekends on Fridays and Saturdays.  Some of us were the only Chinese student in our classroom. As there were only less than ten Chinese and Indian boys and girls combined in our batch or class of 1969, we did not get to enjoy the privilege of learning mother tongue languages since it was too small for the minimum enrollment numbers and for the school to engage the Chinese and Tamil language teachers to teach us.  So I did not attend the vernacular school like most of my childhood friends did at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (China)Hwa Aik, Arau, Perlis or Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (China) Khoon Aik, Kangar, Perlis.  Yes, the spelling for Chinese in Malay language then was China instead of "Cina" and "Ugama" and not Agama as in present day Malay spelling.

Those days, we addressed Mr Ali  as "Enchik Ali" and not the present day "Encik Ali" while "Syarikat Shamelin"" meaning "Shamelin Company was spelled "Sharikat Shamelin".  We have "CH" instead of "C.." and "SH" instead of "SY".  "Kedai Runchit" then is Kedai Runcit now.  I can still remember our primary school syllabus used English as the language medium for teaching all the subjects except the Bahasa Melayu or Malay language or our National Language and the "Ugama' period where the "Ustaz" or Religious Teacher would teach my Malay classmates and friends. Mathematics and Science were in English. The then Minister of Education was the late Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari.  

So what did those bunch of non-Malays boys and girls do during the Ugama period? We have the option to sit-in the classroom but move to the back of the classroom or hang around with our civic study book outside the classroom corridor and sit-by the drain and do our own activities and keep silent or just listen to and learn the religious studies on Islam and Civilisation.  I got to learn a few words of "Jawi" or Arabic writings like Alif  Ba Ta as the Quran book was written in "Jawi" and my Malay classmates have to learn to write and read "Jawi" and how to pray to Allah. The Ustaz(Islamic religious teacher) also taught my Muslim classmates and friends that if they are travelling with their family and could not find a mosque or surau in the vicinity when it is time for the five times a day prayers, they can go into nearby Christian Churches which are clean and sacred as long as it does not have the figurines or images of deities but not the Chinese or Hindu Temples to offer prayers to Allah . 

Talking about Jawi, there is a little town which is called Jejawi where there is a lower secondary school known as "Syed Sirajuddin Secondary School" which halfway between the Royal town of Arau and the Capital of Kangar. That school was named after the then Crown Prince or Raja Muda of Perlis who is now the present Raja of Perlis. 

Well, I was very fortunate to study at the primary school which was named after the late king, His Royal Highness Raja of Perlis Al-Marhum Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, The Third Yang-Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.  I remember seeing one of his grandsons which I belief is the current Crown Prince or Raja Muda of Perlis which was my junior which used to be fetched to and from school by the chauffer in a white Mercedes wagon.

Alright, that was just a little excursion into schooling days.  Why must I tell you so?  Me and my classmates  and the batch of 1969 were victims of the flip-flop changes made to our Malaysian Education System when the new Education Minister Tun Dr Mahathir made changes to the medium of teaching of Geography to Ilmu Alam or Geografi  and History became Tawarikh or Sejarah and Bahasa Melayu became Bahasa Malaysia.  The PMR exams were then known as Lower Cambridge Examination (L.C.E) before it became Sijil Rendah Pelajaran(SRP) which eventually became Penilaian Menegah Rendah(PMR). The Malaysian Certificate of Education (MCE) became Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia(SPM) or SPVM  for the Vocational Secondary School and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) became Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia(STPM).. Those days, the examinations were conducted together with the Cambridge University Examination Syndicate. 

My Geography lesson on Volcano became "Gunung Berapi" or Mountains with Fire. The great Persian Empire Alexander the Great became "Iskandar Zulkarnian".  Admiral Zheng He was "Laksamana Cheng Ho", There were history of the Majapahit and Sri Vijaya Empires and Langkasuka Empires and the Malacca Sultanate with is famous Princess Hang Li Po and the Five Warriors Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu.  Today, somewhat this Hang Tuah history is classified as "Hikayat" or Legend which is like fiction story.  

There was this slogan "Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa" which we were instilled with. We are proud to learn the Malay National Language and also the "Rukun Negara" which have five principles declaration at our school assemblies on Sundays. We also sing the Perlis State Anthem

1. Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan (Believe in GOD)

2. Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to the King and Nation)

3. Keluhuran Perlembagaan.(Supremacy of the Constitution)

4. Kedaulatan Undang-undang(Rule of the Laws)

5. Kesopanan dan kesusilaan (Courtesy and Morality)

As you may know it, "Tuhan" is the Malay word for God.  Why our then Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak who is the father of the current caretaker Prime Minister Najib Razak and his cabinet ministers did not use the word Allah but "Tuhan" when they established the Rukun Negara?  I knew my Malay Muslim classmates and friends worshiped their Allah as "Tuhan" and me and my Chinese and Indian classmates worshiped "Tokong-tokong" or Gods and Godesses while my Sikhs classmates worshiped Guru Nanak.  In our report cards and school records on religion professed, we were classified as "Ugama Buddha", "Ugama Hindu" and 'Ugama Sikh" or "Lain-Lain" or Others.  I hardly come accross a Christian during my schooling days other than the Christian school which is Stella Maris Primary School which has a chapel and a cross on its towering roof  at the entrance to its school buildings as my school van driver, Uncle Ah Looi ( of Siamese descent who took us to a Wat or Siamese temple to drop-off one of our friends) would always picked us from Putra English School(PES) before going to pick my hometown friends studying at Stella Maris as that school dismissed the students later than us.

I remember my mommy used to prepare breakfast and foodstuff for me to bring to school in plastic containers and tupperwares for my recess and my father gave me five cent coin for me to buy food and drink during my primary schooling days. She made sure that I have only "halal" food to bring to school to avoid any misunderstandings and warned me not to share anything that is not "halal" with my Muslims classmates.  The plastic containers,glasses, cups and spoons and forks in our households are usually exchanged and redeemed  through advertising programs by the soap powder companies like FAB, Drives,Breeze, Tiger and Trojan where they sent troops of ladies and aunties carrying the soap products and the redemption gifts in rattan baskets out in convoys of Volkwagen vans. 

Wow, the soap detergent like Fab is time tested as the indelible ink used recently at the advance voting for Malaysian Arm forces was reportedly washed away.

There was peace in Perlis on May 13, 1969 even though there were riots in Kuala Lumpur, the Capital of Malaysia due to the General Election results where the "Perikatan", the predecesor of "Barisan National" coalition suffered heavy losses as the opposition parties won more seats.  I was at school on that day with all my Chinese, Indian, Sikh and Malay classmates and we were told by our teachers that we can go home early on that day and we were later picked up by our parents and van drivers. When we resumed schooling after that incident, we just lived and played on with our Malay classmates and friends as though nothing had happened.  Not only that, my form teacher was Cigku Rokiah and my Bahasa Malaysia and Ugama Cigku Abu Bakar was a motherly and a fatherly figure respectively to all of us.  Yes, my Malay classmates and friends used to taunt me and our Chinese classmates "China Communist" or "China babi" = Chinese Pig when we are angry with one another, we would have a shouting war calling them "Tuko" or Pig too.  The Ustaz and teachers would tell us to stop taunting and shake hands and be friends and like one big family. We are the truly Malaysian Malaysia living peacefully in harmony and happily with one another. My Muslim friends have been trustworthy and have helped me to learnt more about their culture and religion. There is nothing to fear when God is on your side and the Fire of Hell  or "Api Neraka" will not consume you as long as you fear God and obey His commands and not fear Man.  

We loved to play football at our school field which was easily the size of three football field which bordered with Stella Marris and the Institut Teknoloji Mara (ITM) which later became the UITM. We played 'Sepak Takraw' at our open cement badminton courts. We cheered our Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton teams as we listened to the Radio Malaysia. We used to cheers for our Harimau Malaya which were once Asia power house during the Merdeka Cup with players and idols like "Taukeh" Soh Chin Aun from Melaka, Super Mokh Moktar Dahari from Selangor, Spiderman Arumugam Goakeeper, James Wong from Sabah, Isa and Ali Bakar brothers from Penang and our very own Bakri Ibni from Perlis.  We also lined up two by two and sat together at our school canteen when the school brought the black and white television to show everyone the live telecast of the boxing bouts between Cassius Clay or Muhammad Ali and Joe Fazier and the match Muhammad Ali versus Joe Bugner held at Kuala Lumpur.  We can all cheered our country's heroes like Tan Aik Huang and Tan Aik Mong, Tan Yee Khan, Eddy Choong, Punch Gunalan, Phua Ah Hua, Saw Swee Leong, Dominic Soong and Cheah Hong Chong, Moo Foot Lian, Foo Kok Keong, Misbun Sidek, Razif and Jailani Sidek, Rashid Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang, Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Kiat and Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Heroines like Sylvia Ng and  Datin Wong Mew Choo for Badminton, Shalin Zulkifli and her bowling compatriots in bowling, and recently, the diving  champions like Pandela Rinong and Leong Mun Yee in sports as one Malaysian Voice but we picked our own idols when boxing is not involving Malaysians.

Today, we have some extremists and racists politicians who still stir the racial and religious harmony as though they still lived in the Japanese occupations and under colonial British rules.  If Keretapi Tanah Melayu became KTM, it was the passing of train services from Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia to Tanjung Pagar in Singapore and to Hatyai in Southern Thailand.  It had travelled down the terrains, the padi fields, rubber estates and oil palm estates and jungles and through tunnels and over bridges millions of miles. The scenario had change along the way to tht of residential houses, roads and flyovers and interchange and super structures like skyscrapers in cities like Butteroworth, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru and Woodlands in Singapore. It had experienced some derailment because of the communist insurgents sabotage in the past and due to other natural disasters or phenomena or man made quarrels like the Tamjung Pagar-Woodland ICQ terminal issue. KTM has change its engines and wheels from steam locomotives to diesel and electric trains. The tracks have been doubled and electrified from South to North.  It has grown and transformed itself.  

The dawn of a new Era of Free Colorful Metropolitan Multi-Etnic,  Multi-cultural and Multi-religious Malaysia from a nation known as Malaya, a land bestowed with so many resources and talented people of this NegaraKu, Malaysia.  The construction of the new electrified double tracking railway lines have been affecting most motorists and Malaysians living in places where the tracks crisscrossed. Some have lost their lives while some have lost their lands and playgrounds and also some historical landmarks demolished in the name of development. The roads and surrounding are dusty pending the completion and clearance of debris. Did the affected people get compensated fairly? Were there any element of cost overrun due to the inflation, commissions or corruptions during procurement and implementation?  

Why today we still have politicians who like to be superhero when superman actor like Christopher Reeve also died and cannot save himself?  If we are all God fearing people, we know that there is heaven and hell. We know that we can live as long as God allow us our time here on Earth, the garden of Eden particularly in the land called Malaysia with the South China Sea in between the tip of Asia and Borneo Islands.The Chinese when they died, the relatives will arrange for the deceased person a funeral service within their means, a heart warming rite to bid farewell from this world to other world. According to their faiths, the Taoist monks will offer some prayers on the wake service until the funeral and cremation and until the mourning periods are over so that the departed soul will rest in peace and the living will cherish the sweet memories of the moments spent on Earth.  Buddhist will have much simpler funeral rites.  Then again, the rich and the poor men or women would go to the Judgement on their own.  Like the Muslims which offer the "Al-Fathihah prayers", the Christians will offer condolence to the bereaved family members and offer prayers to God.

Christians belief there is only one God and He has many Names.  God Almighty the Creator, Merciful, Provider, Love,Emmanuel God with us and etc as in the Holy Bible or "Kitab Injil".  I am sure the Holy Quran also tell us that ALLAH = GOD is our Creator and we shared the same ancestors from Adam and Eve ("Adam dan Hawa").  We can call our father -Papa and mother-Mama in (Chinese Hokkien dialect), Lau Peh and Lau Bo(In TeoChew), Ar Pa or Lo Tau (Cantonese),  I know my Malay friends call their father, Ayah or Abah and their mother Emak or Mak or Ibu or just Bu. So if you speak Mandarin, it is Fu Ching and Mu Ching.  Tantai orThagappanar or Thandhai for father and Amma for mother in Tamil. 

When we die, all of us will go to dust. No further word is uttered when we are lying dead.  So when you as a child, it is so beautiful to be able to call your parents, papa and mama and likewise, parents love their children and call out their names while we are still living.  We are all common descendants of Adam and Eve from the same Human species or Homo Sapiens but with different genes and DNAs as God did not make us exactly like each other. He created us in His Image. We are not like the same Proton Saga cars rolled out from the Proton factory.  As we get older and and have other children, the Proton cars manufacturer came out with different models. Unfortunately, humans are not perfect and so the Proton cars are also with defects. You know, the window cannot wind-up properly. INI KALILAH Voters Defect to Pakatan Rakyat.  Lain kali Perfect Better Nation. When can we design and build our own car engines like the Koreans and jet engines like Russians to become a nation we can be proud of Made In Malaysia product or "Bangga dengan Barangan Buatan Malaysia"

Now the BIG issue with some of the politicians today is talking about Save "Kalimah ALLAH".  There are many learned Muslim Imams, Clergies and Muslim Scholars have already mentioned that the word ALLAH is of Middle-Eastern origin and has long been used by Christians before Islamic Civilisation. So why can't the Christians utter Allah? He is my GOD as I understand  He has so many other names? Why only in Sabah and Sarawak states on the Borneo Islands only can the Christian allowed to use Allah in the Kitab Injil or Holy Bible or praise and pray to ALLAH.  

Today, in global border-less and internet connected world, you can have access to the Holy Bible at your PC or smartphone and in many language translations anywhere.  You can print it and store it as hard-copy as and when you like for your own use and be thankful and mindful of the copyrights for the original contributors and authors.   If the so-called religious and pious leader of an NGO who is a godly "orang alim" Muslim threatened to burn all Holy Bibles with the word ALLAH, he will have to burn his PC, tablets and smartphones or stop GOD or ALLAH from revealing Himself to non-Muslims(kafirs) who help to create these gadgets. Even if the Ah Huat or Ah Yong or Ah Soi Leg or Ah Seng or A Singh is allowed to call our GOD "ALLAH", most Chinese will pronounce it with his Chinese accents and slang and God Almighty still know that his beloved children yearn for HIM.  Parents, do you like to hear your children call you Papa and MAMA AS OFTEN AS YOU ARE ALIVE?.  

Just as I was at the POS office Bukit Mertajam, I bumped into my standard one classmate Aziz and we were so happy because we had not seen each others for a long time and his two elder children were already married. He is now a proud grandfather or "Datuk" of two grandchildren.  I told him to invite me to his other younger children's wedding feast or "kenduri" in future. Yes, we are fated or "takdir' to meet by God's grace. My friend  replied "Insya Allah" which means God's Willing, we shall meet again soon. Common people like us have common sense and courtesy.

  

Is GOD=ALLAH for all His Creations and descendants of Adam and Eve to praise HIM or it is only the exclusive Arabic word for politicians in Malaysia to sing to Him.  GOD, please save MALAYSIA. If we go to our Honorable Malaysian Judicial Courts, we have to swear in the name of TUHAN =GOD=ALLAH when taking an oath. So please help me GOD.   If GOD is the Almighty Creator of me and you, my fellow peace loving Malaysians, the word ALLAH is free because only GOD can save us. Man saves God or God save mankind?  God Creator does not need the "Pharisee" humankind  to save ALLAH because HE is MERCIFUL and  our SAVIOUR. 

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To my fellow faithful servants of God and peace loving Malaysians, The Prime Minister and Government of Malaysia, the Court of Justices of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak and the learned Judges and Justices and His Royal Highness The King and His Brethren Council of Sultans and Raja, DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia dan Majlis Raja-Raja, may God Bless You Richly and with Good Health, and Grant You Great Wisdom and Understandings so that ALLAH will favor your rule and your "Rakyat" or citizen can live in harmony, in prosperity and at peace with GOD=ALLAH=TUHAN and Man on Earth forever and ever. Amin=Amen. 

 PEACE BE WITH YOU.  SHALOM. 

Roadshow and Opera to say Thank You to the Deity at Kota Permai

If you have been in Malaysia over the last couple of weeks, you would probably be entertained by our local singers at the Ge-Tai(Mandarin) or in Hokkien " Ko-Tai or Roadshow had you ventured out at night to the local Chinese temples.  You would also had the opportunity to watch a traditional Chinese Opera show too.  Over here in Bukit Mertajam, the local Chinese community here speaks the local TeoChew dialect as compared to the majority of the local Chinese community in Penang Island who speaks Hokkien dialect.  Therefore, the opera shows over here are mostly the TeoChew Opera.

However, due to the Opera show and its traditional culture and apprenticeship which are not "seen" to be paying attractive income and the nomadic lifestyle(due to frequent travels around the country to perform at various temples) of the troupe members, comprising the actors, actresses, supporting casts, make-up artist, wardrobe and tailors, the musical team which sometimes doubled up as the stage crews in setting up the "theater and backdrops" which play the traditional musical instruments such as drums,gongs, trumpets and flutes and cymbals, these professional arts and noble jobs are hardly attracting the new and young generations.

They have to put in long hours of training to acquire the acting skills and singing and dancing. They have to teach themselves to paint their faces with colored powders and other cosmetics to depict the faces of heroes and heroines and villains too. They eat at and sleep on the temporary stage set up by the local committee of the temples.  It is hard to find a local opera troupe to perform because today's Chinese younger generation are leading a very different lifestyle in the advent of digital age, and have higher expectation of a quality lifestyle in the comfort of the beautiful five stars hotels and the lime lights of the more sophisticated modern art of acting and the glitters on the silver screen and to bash in the glamors of the Hollywood for being cast in the Megabucks Blockbuster Movies. They probably want to be glamorous like Jet Li, Chow Yun-Fat, Sammo Hung  or Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li and etc. Guess what? Even today, the Opera troupes are imported from China to perform here in Malaysia.  At one time, the troupes from Thailand were quite regular here.  They probably find it hard to get new bloods into the industry.

Another dying culture is the Chinese puppet shows which are also performed to thank the deities.  Today, we have the animation using the computer digital technologies. I have seen in the past that some temples when they could not secure the puppet shows or the opera, they had hired the services of the cinema crews who show the old movies on a large white screen like a drive-through movie which is more economical and easy to set-up.  For the Opera show, there are usually two performances per day. One episode in the afternoon and one episode at night.  As for the Ge-Tai or Roadshow, it is only performed at night and usually from 8.00pm to 12.00 midnight with a mixtures of male and female singers who usually dressed sexily or in scantily outfits.  Male singers are also rare nowadays as the audience preferred to watch females performers.

Recently, the Opera show held at Kota Permai was to thank the deity "Datuk Kong" or the so called Malay Spirit Deity worshiped by the Chinese community especially those that practiced Taoism for the blessings which they belief were bestowed throughout the whole of last year. Some of the businessmen and residents would sponsor and donate huge sum of moneys to organize the event make burnt offerings.   The local shopping  center, Billion Supermarket sponsored one night performance of the Roadshow. At Kota Permai, the "Datuk Kong" is said to be "dwelling or residing" at the big rock along the main road of Jalan Kota Permai and it is the main deity housed at the temple built onto it.  See my earlier post on the temple here.  At this temple, pork offerings and non-kosher foods are not allowed to be offered to the "Datuk" deity as it is a Malay Spirit and it is considered a taboo.  Ill luck and bad fate will befall the persons who make such an offering blunder. Even the singer will respect the deity by singing at least one Malay song to entertain the deity.

Here is one Malay song titled Sha-Na-Na sang by Miss Chang Sin Yee.

 Anyway, the deity and or other deities will watch the opera or puppet show or Ge-Tai secured as offerings and thanksgivings by the local temple committee who are themselves nominated among the sponsors and donors annually or for a specific term.  Of course, the people and residents like me who like to see Roadshows will join the crowd just to watch the performances for free.  In the present days, there are plastic stools for sitting and canvas tents sheltering from the rain.  In the olden days where I grew up as a child, there were rows of wooden planks laid on stilts and tighten with bolts and nuts above grasses and muddy open spaces and arranged like rows of seats in a theater hall with no shelters except for the makeshift stage.

Those days, we could only watch and it remained in memory.  Today, we can shoot photograph and record video.  That is why you are now enjoying these video clips that I recorded with Sony handy camera.  Here at the Chinese temple roadshow, we cheer and clap for the singers as they sing and entertain us with the latest pop songs and dances. The visitors to the temples will usually close their hands together and kneeling or bowing down, and offer prayers with burning incenses (joss-sticks which can be plain and tiny or big with dragon and figurines and printed joss-papers in gold and silver colors accompanied by lighted candles and lamps to the deity or deities at the temples. Some who have been blessed with good-fortunes will make cash donations. They may even bring along food-stuffs such as boiled chicken, eggs, home cooked meals and dishes, fruits and cookies to offer to the deity or deities. After the prayer sessions, these food-stuffs can be taken back home and consume as it is belief to bring good luck and blessing. You can expect the joss-sticks or incenses with dragon figurines will be popular throughout this Chinese New Year as this is the Lunar year of the Water Dragon.

 

In contrast, at the Church, the worshipers play the musical instruments, sing praises and worship songs to God, dancing, clapping and raising hands in prayer postures, bowing or kneeling down and giving thanks unto the Lord and Jesus Christ. There are Malay and Murut versions of Songs of Praise and Worship.  The church congregations give tithes and offerings in cash and checks.  The modern and large churches even accept offerings through debit to credit card accounts or online transfers using the latest banking facilities.  These monies are used by the Church to support its administration, missions and to help the poor and needy. The Church have the Holy Communions where the disciples broke breads and eat and drink the cups of wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Love and Sacrifice for us.

Now you may like to ask, who is worshiping and who is singing? Who is thanking God and who is being entertained? Who benefited from the collection of monies and how it is being used? Anyway, mankind came empty handed into this mortal world and cannot take it with us when we leave this world. Let us be good Stewards and Custodians of what God has placed in our care and hands.

Here, enjoy the opera, roadshow, the pop songs and worship songs and may God Bless you and family and be with you always. Gong Xi Gong Xi.

Malaya Merdeka or Malaysia Merdeka?

With the excitement on the festive Hari Raya Aidil Fitri going into second day on Wednesday August 31, 2011, in Malaysia, it is also the day where we Malaysians are reminded of the day the British granted independence to Federation of Malaya on August 31, 1957.  Our First Prime Minister, His Royal Highness and Honorable Tunku Abdul Rahman made the proclamation of Independence of the Federation of Malaya by proclaiming "Merdeka!" three times at the official ceremony held at the then National Stadium which was known as Stadium Merdeka.  "Merdeka" is the Malay word for Independence

It is interesting to note that my country known as Malaysia to the world was only formed under the Malaysia Agreement on September 16, 1963 after the coming together of Malaya (which is the territory on peninsular of Malaya) and three other equal nations consisting of Singapore( formerly a part of the Straits Settlements together with Penang and Malacca. The State of Singapore Act was passed in the United Kingdom Parliament in August 1958 providing for the establishment of the State of Singapore), Sabah (Formerly known as British North Borneo which attained self-government on August 31, 1963) and Sarawak(which were officially granted independence by the British on July 22, 1963). Both Sabah and Sarawak are on the Borneo Island.

According to historical archives, the idea of formation of Malaysia was first mooted by the first Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1961. It was targeted  that the date August 31,1963 for Sabah and Sarawak to be independent from British and together with Singapore to join Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia to coincide with Malaya's independence day on August 31st  in 1957 then.  However, due to the objections and confrontation with Indonesia and the claim on Sabah by the Philippines which were related to its Sultanate of Sulu at the Southern Philippines, the United Nation sent a delegate to confirm with the people of Sabah and Sarawak of their intention to join in the formation of Malaysia.  This has caused the delay and resulted in the ultimate formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963 with Sabah and Sarawak and Singapore.

So Malaysia Day is on September 16 of every year.  Many Malaysians and generations like Bigfoothill learned the history of Malaysia from books that said that Malaysia achieved independence on August 31, 1957 which is not correct as it was Malaya's independence from the British.  As children, me and my friends,we always look forward to the parade and programs lined up by the state government of Perlis. We would also watch the live telecasts of the street procession and celebrations held at the Federal Capital in Kuala Lumpur where the King or Yang Di Pertuan Agong  took his salutation and inspections of the throngs of armed forces, navy, air-force and other civil contingents.  We get excited and felt proud when we saw the fly pass by the air-force helicopters and jets, the drive through by the arm forces artillery, tanks and combat vehicles.

Now the history of Malaysia gaining independence from British is very much talked about by politicians especially after the last General Election held on March 8, 2008 as the current ruling Government from the National Front Coalition is holding to a slight marginal edge over the Opposition through seats they won comfortably from the states of Sabah and Sarawak.  These two States who were formally being independence nations maintained some special privileges under the Malaysia Agreement.  It seemed that the politicians from the Peninsular from both the ruling party and opposition are making and offering a lot concessions such as appointing more cabinet ministers,deputies, secretaries and the Parliament Speaker and offers plenty of funding and development projects to the politicians of the two states ruling coalition parties in order to secure their supports and the mandate to form the Federal Government with the seats won especially at the 12th General Election.  With the next General Election coming soon, there are more politicking across the South China Seas and the politicians from the Peninsular Malaysia will make more trips to the Borneo Island to woo the voters there.

As a Malaysian, it saddened me to think of my fellow Malaysians especially Sabahans and Sarawakians who do not enjoy the same kind of infrastructures and amenities like us on the Peninsular, such as the basic electricity power supply and clean piped water supply to their homes.  They have to travel by rivers using riverboats services that are taking long hours and rides on the bumpy road to get from one point to another point, and especially for the children to take the dangerous paths to schools by walking though jungle treks and crossing rivers on rafts and small boats.  On the Peninsular, we have the highways, the electric trains services, the mega structures and the good basic amenities as compare to our fellow Malaysians from Borneo Island.

The two states are rich in natural resources such as timbers, oil and gas and contributed to the wealth and well being of for the Federal Government but majority of its peoples are still living in conditions that are below poverty level especially those from the interiors and the indigenous tribes. They have been neglected for far too long by the leaders of the country and their own states legislative.

The Federal Government has only declared Malaysia Day on September 16 every year as a public holiday from last September 16, 2010 onwards so as to win the hearts of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.  To the present Prime Minister of Malaysia and his cabinet and anyone who is elected as the future Prime Minister of our country and leaders, please do not discriminate amongst us just for your political gains.  We were taught in history books that the former colonial masters divided us and rule.  We cannot give the same excuse that we were divided then for we are our own master for the last 54 years. Now the past 54 years of Malaya independence and the 48 years of a nation called Malaysia, we seemed to hurt each other across our political divides but failed to see that we are all a One Malaysia.  We channeled funds for developments only to the people and areas who only voted for the elected leaders and ruling government.  We can be so loud in championing the civil rights and liberty of foreign lands thousand miles away such as Palestine, Afghanistan, Bosnia and relentlessly supported with financial aids but we failed to recognize the very needs of our very own brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak. Leaders should be Malaysian First and Politics Last.

When we compete in sport events, we cheered for the swimmers and divers from Sarawak and the Athletes from Sabah who helped us win gold in SEA games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World championships. A Sabahan, Aricco Jumitih did us proud by winning the weghtlifting gold medal in Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.  Likewise, the Sabahans and Sarawakians cheered for our Penangites like Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol Davids in Badminton and Squash World championships.

Elected Leaders, especially Parliamentarians, I urge you to look into and study at our many old Enactments, Ordinances and Acts of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s for a start to review it and repeal it where it deemed fit. One such law is the ISA and its relevancy in present day social and political environments. Even the Housing and Local Government Acts are important to safeguard the rights and remedies of the citizen who are purchasing a home for the first time to provide shelter for family. There were just too many incidents where the poor citizens lose their hard earn savings through unscrupulous developers and contractors where the houses were not built or partially completed leaving the purchasers with financial burdens of paying banking loans and litigation fees. Why are we Malaysians still electing leaders who are warming their seats in Parliament to entertain us with their racist and chauvinistic propaganda. Why do we have the Senators appointed even after they were rejected and lost in the elections?  Though we can argue that there are some deserving losers to be appointed to tap on their leaderships,talents and skills but there are some who are hopeless. Can our wise leaders of their respective political parties scrutinize their candidates and groom them to be a top class leader with a heart for the people?

There could be more benefits for everyone if the Leaders of Malaysia are truly Malaysians before they sing Malaysia Truly Asia.  Before we let the visitors and tourists see the backwardness of our fellow Malaysians, leaders who have the heart of all Malaysians, please see beyond the boat rides to explore the beauty of our National parks, rivers, jungles,caves, flora and fauna in Sabah and Sarawak.  Let us build and construct roads more accessible to them so that our young ones who are our future, can go to school and travel safely.  Let them have clean water for drinking and washing.  Build them houses that they can call home so that they can study quietly and have a resting place. Give them irrespective of race, colors, religions, and political inclinations, the educational supports such as providing them with free books and library besides building more schools in the interiors.  Let them have access to the internet and get connected. These simple budget spending are better than spending millions of Ringgit sending our Astronaut "Angkasawan" to space when we cannot even design and build our own rocket to propel us to the moon.  It is better to have clinics and health facilities for the people than building iconic buildings and hiring consultants to build the biggest and the largest this and that for the sake of  Guinness Book of Records achievements.

Please remember Malaya is going to reach employment retiring age of 55 years next year 2012. To the Leaders of Malaya, you have only one year left to work very hard to contribute to the family of Malayans. You, Leaders of Malaya and the present day Leaders of Malaysia, by virtue of your extended family members in marriage on September 16, 1963, you are given an extension of seven (7) more years to bring up your children to be on par with your first Malayan children before you call it a day at work.

For the next seven (7) years will you toil very hard to retire as a responsible and dedicated Malaysian Leader like the head of a family to look after the welfare of each members of the 1Malaysia family? Come this August 31 and/or September 16, let it not be just another flag raising day to flag you off to hurt, harm, hate our own fellow Malaysians nor squander and waste our visions and rich resources, natural and intellectuals away.  There is only one race... and that race is Malaysian GP..(God Provide). There is only One (1) Malaysia and you are the Father of our nation so why there is still the column for race in our birth certificate? Are you not tired of racing against the very little time you are left with to bring our children to a united common race known as Malaysian where we can be Malaysia Truly Asia so that we will be a great nation called Malaysia that leads other nations of the world. Son of Malaya and a citizen of Malaysia.

"Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri"

Wishing all our Muslim friends "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri".  Bigfoothill is looking forward to having a great time at the "Open Houses" held by his Muslim friends. There will be plenty of local Malaysian foods and cookies serve by our friends and their family.  The children will be looking forward to the "Duit Raya" or money bags given out during this festival where the Muslims in Malaysia will be celebrating the new year with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and the first day of the month of Shawwal on this Tuesday August 30, 2011 with the official announcement being made by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal with the consent of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong or His Royal Highness The King Of Malaysia yesterday evening.

As a child I used to like this festive song sang by the late Saloma.  The "Hari Raya" is not complete without the listening and singing along with the festive songs.

Chinese New Year 2011 welcomes Year of Rabbit with Red Lanterns

Welcome the Zodiac Calendar Year of Rabbit. Wishing You A Very Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year.  After family Reunion Lunch at Bukit Minyak, Bukit Mertajam in the afternoon, Bigoofthill went for Family Reunion Dinner at Butterworth on New Year's Eve Wednesday February 2, 2011.  On the way back to Bukit Mertajam on the Stroke of Chinese New Year's Day of the Year of Rabbit, we turned into Jalan Raja Uda and saw the beautiful sky lit up with fireworks while the street is decorated with red lanterns.  It is on the mainland of Penang State and is considered the heart of Chinatown at Butterworth. There is a Chinese temple for vegetarians which is frequented by worshipers offering prayers for good lucks and great wealth during the Year of the Rabbit.

Bigfoothill worships at BMBC and the Holy Bible teaches us, " Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." ( 1Timothy 6:17-19 NIV).

May God bless you richly in His Grace.

Chinese Traditional Lion Dance Championship Malaysia

Here are some Chinese Traditional Lion Dance performed by five finalist teams at the championship held on Sunday January 9, 2011 at Sunway Carnival, Penang, Malaysia.  Bigfoothill was proud to be there as there were two teams from Bukit Mertajam that were finalists among the five teams chosen from twenty-two teams from all over Malaysia.

The championship was won by the young team from state of Kedah which performed the Lion Dance in the movements of a Drunken Lion. Congratulations to all the teams participating in the championship.

The Lion is actually a Chinese folklore creature which was associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration where the creature used to harm the peasants annually and the peasants will chase away the creature by making loud noises like beating the drum or letting off the fire-cracker. I belief there are better explanations and information on the origin of the Lion Dance by the experts on Chinese Mythology and Culture.

By the way, this Chinese Traditional Lion dance are a common features at official functions such as the grand opening of Chinese businesses and during the Chinese New Year. It is recognized as an art and heritage of Malaysia.  The competitive lion dance performances are slightly different from the usual street performance as there are many obstacles or variation on the steps and movements to tell the story of the lion eating the green or delivering a message while the normal street performance is accompanied by a giant with a big head (a mask) walking ahead of the lion. He usually held a fan in his hands and wave it to attract the attention of the lion and move according to the rhythm of the drums and cymbals beats.  The lion dance troupe are then offered  Chinese gift red packet containing money as part of appreciation for the dance to ward of evil forces and bring blessings.

Enjoy your lion dance here.

 

Wishing You Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and family.  It is time of the year again to be celebrating birthday of Jesus.  For many, it is shopping time or holiday time or party time and be merry.  Here are some highlights to share with you. Go to your local Church this Christmas and find the true meaning of Christmas and meet Jesus and his big family. You are always welcome to BMBC as you can see even the Nigerians are here.